Introduction:

Order the 2.2kW Water Cooled Spindle and Inverter Combo for more efficient, quieter CNC routing. Ships from USA. Warranty and Support available.
Do not attempt to wire your VFD or spindle on your own. Consult with a professional electrician before following the diagram.

Description:

We have tested spindles from many manufacturers and this spindle and VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) is the best one we have found. This spindle has four (4) bearings. Having four bearings in your spindle is very important and will maintain the precision and extend the life of the spindle. If you're planning on purchasing a spindle from eBay, or other source, keep in mind that support will be limited.

We support our spindles! They are shipped from the United States. We can support the spindles with the years of experience we have been dealing with these spindles and we have searched really hard for the right spindle and VFD.

There is a connection to the spindle for power. Three of the four connections are used which connect to the internal coils that make the spindle spin. The fourth connection is not connected (NC).

Spindles need to be cooled and this spindle uses water for this purpose. More importantly, this aspect of water cooling does not allow air movement to cool the spindle (as opposed to routers that move air through the router to cool by convection). Water cools the spindle using conduction (heat transfer through contact). This is important because, as opposed to air movement, water cooling will not blow the dust all over the shop, and the dust and chips left over by the milling and cutting process can be removed with a dust collector or vacuum.

The sound level from a spindle is extremely low as compared to routers. In fact, the sound from a spindle is quieter than the actual cutting and milling action from the end mill, and much quieter than a router.

The spindle comes with a 1/4" (.25 inch) collet, which is the measure of the bore (inside diameter) inside which the shank of the end mill is inserted. the collet fits into the shaft where the collet taper matches the shaft taper. When the collet is inserted into this taper and the collet nut is tightened down, the collet squeezes around the shank of the end mill (helped by the way the collet is made with all of the sliced sections surrounding the collet). You will need two wrenches to tighten the collet nut onto the collet. Watch the video on the proper technique of loosening and tightening.

Spindles required the use of a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) to function. These VFDs are also called spindle inverters. The VFD takes the power from the wall and creates a frequency with voltage and current to spin the spindle. The frequency can be controlled to control the RPM of the spindle.

The VFD has a potentiometer to adjust the speed or RPM, but the RPM of the spindle can also be adjusted automatically from the control software. The VFD has a screen that shows many aspects of the condition or current status of the spindle including RPM or frequency, spindle rotation direction, any faults or errors that may be occuring and much more. Every aspect of the spindle can be controlled by the VFD and the VFD can also be programmed (setting can be configured).

The VFD controls the spindles torque and commanded speed using PID control (Proportional Integral Derivative) that makes sure the spindle has the current and torque it needs to maintain the RPM under various load conditions. Routers are not able to do this and will exhibit a reduction in RPM (getting bogged down) when additional load is put on the router, like trying to cut deep into material.

Controlling the VFD can be done manually, or can be completely controlled using control software like Mach3 and LinuxCNC. The face of the VFD contains buttons for Run, Mode, Reverse/Jog, Stop.Reset, Enter and various arrow buttons to browse and set various functions through the menu.

The VFD contains many terminals connections for wiring the spindle to the VFD, wiring the controller (computer or other contolling device) to the VFD and wiring the VFD to the wall outlet for mains power.

The spindle, by itself, weighs 10.93 lbs.

Parts included:

2.2kW Spindle 110V or 220V

Inverter (VFD) 110V or 220V

Collet: ER20 1/4"

4-Pin Connector

Collet Size for 2.2kW Spindle: ER20

Spindle Diameter: 80mm

Instructions

Spindle Wiring Diagram

U -> Pin #3

V -> Pin #1

W -> Pin #2

Pin #4 is disabled.

How to Program Inverter / VFD

When Inverter is first powered on, there should be text flashing on the screen.

Step 1: Press "MODE" button. The screen should now say "P0"

Step 2: Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to change the P setting to the desired parameter.

Example: To change setting P3-02 use the SIDE arrow to move the cursor. The flashing digit is the one currently selected. Change the digits using the arrows until the screen reads P3-02.

Step 3: Press "Enter" to input the parameter for the setting.

Example: After you have used the arrow buttons to select your setting, press the "ENTER" button and the screen will now change to the parameter. For instance: Setting P3-02 should be changed to 400.00.

Step 4: Change the parameter using the arrows. When you have input the correct parameter, press "ENTER" again to save your setting.

400 Hz is equivalent to 24,000 RPM. It is a linear conversion from 0 to 400 Hz, for instance, 200 Hz is 12,000 RPM

VFD Settings:

Disclaimer: These values are provided for your convenience. Verify with the values in the manual that came with your VFD. Employ or seek the guidance of a professional electrician experienced in motor, spindle and VFD specifications and operation. THE WARRANTY OF THE SPINDLE AND VFD DEPENDS ON THE PROPER SETTING OF PARAMETERS AND THE USE OF A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN EXPERIENCED IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION. I have not thoroughly tested the ranges of all parameters, and cannot vouch for the default values in the VFD that you are using. These instructions are an attempt to assist in cross referencing the parameters of disparate VFDs.

To start and stop the spindle under Mach3, use a relay on your interface board (controller, like the Pokeys57CNC, Mach3 USB board, or parallel breakout board) and connect one side of the relay to DCM (XGND on some VFDs) and the other side of the relay to FOR (FWD on some VFDs). If the CNC controller contains more than 1 relay, you can use the relay to start the spindle in reverse mode using the same DCM (VGND) and the REV terminals.

Basic parameters that we recommend setting and confirming for simple control panel operation. Use the parameter that matches your VFD (i.e. PD###, P#-##, P##.##).

Main Frequency, Hz: In digital operator mode (PD001 set to 0) the VFD/Inverter will run at this parameter value and can be changed at the control panel using the up and down arrows. In multi-speed, this value is the same as Speed 1. If the VFD is set to use the external multi-terminals, then speed 1 will be set by the analog of the external terminals. This parameter value is limited by the maximum operating frequency

PD003: 300

P0.00: 400

Base Frequency/Pre-Set Frequency, Hz

PD004: 300

P0-08: 400

Max Frequency/Upper Limit Frequency, Hz

PD005: 400

P0-10: 400

P0-12: 400

P0.04: 400

P0.05 (At Max Voltage): 400

Intermediate Frequency, Hz

PD006: 2.5

P00.07: 3.5

Maximum Voltage, V: See the motor voltage rating

PD008: *

P00.06: *

intermediate Voltage, %

PD009: 15

P00.08: 10

Minimum Voltage, V

PD010: 8

P00.10: 5

Lower Limit Frequency, Hz

PD007 allows only a max of 20Hz for this parameter

PD011: 100

P0-14: 120

P0.09: .2

VF Curve Settings: 0-4

P00.12: 0

Motor Rated Power, kW

P1-01: 2.2

Motor Rated Voltage, Set according to what voltage your spindle/VFD uses

P1-02: 110 or 220

Motor Rated Current, in Amps

PD142: 7

P1-03: 8.5

Motor Rated Frequency, Hz

P1-04: 400

Motor Rated Revolutions Per Minute, RPM

P1-05: 24000

PD144: 3000

Cut Off Frequency, Hz

P3-02: 400

Frequency Detection Value 1, Hz

P8-19: 400

Frequency Detection Value 2, Hz

P8-28: 400

Any Arrival Frequency Detection Value 1, Hz

P8-30: 400

Any Arrival Frequency Detection Value 2, Hz

P8-32: 400

Motor Pole Number: Confirm on the motor nameplate for the number of poles on your spindle

PD143: 4

Inverter Frequency Standard: 0: 50Hz, 1: 60Hz

PD176: 1

Parameters for Extended Customization

Parameter Lock: 0: Invalid, 1: Valid (The parameters will be lock and prevents tampering of the parameter values)

PD000: 0

P00.13: 0 (This VFD also includes 10: Restore factory settings)

For PD### VFDs: Run Control Source (Run Commands): 0: All run commands are controlled by the front panel of the VFD/Inverter, 1: The run commands are controlled by the multi-terminals (the control is by an source like a computer using Mach3 or equivalent control program), 2: Communications port (i.e. a connection from a computer or other device that communicates via RS-245 serial, like an FTDI to USB converter)

PD001: 0

For P##.## VFDs: Run Control Source (Run Commands): 0: All run commands are controlled by the front panel of the VFD/Inverter, 1: The run commands are controlled by the multi-terminals (the control is by an source like a computer using Mach3 or equivalent control program), but the STOP key still works, 2: Same as (1) but the STOP key will not work, 3: Communications port (i.e. a connection from a computer or other device that communicates via RS-245 serial, like an FTDI to USB converter), 4: By user application program control electronics.

P00.01: 0

Frequency Control Source: 0: Panel (Potentiometer on the front panel), 1: Board or External potentiometer (refer to the PD070-076 for related parameter for controlling the analog input, 2: Communications port (i.e. a connection from a computer or other device that communicates via RS-245 serial, like an FTDI to USB converter)

PD002: 0

Acceleration Time: The time it takes to ramp up to the set speed

PD014, 16, 18 and 20: Specify the longest time that you can allow. If the time is too low, the spindle will draw excessive power and will cause a fault

Deceleration Time: The time it takes to slow down to the stop or lower limit frequency

PD015, 17, 19 and 21: Specify your maximum allowable time.

Reverse Rotation Select: 0: Reverse Run forbidden (will not run in the reverse direction), 1: Reverse Run Enable

Stopping Mode: 0: Deceleration Stop, 1: Coasting stop (prepare to wait for a while for the spindle to stop depending on the condition of the bearings), 2: (Only for P## VFDs) DC Brake Stop (See PD029-31 for DC Braking for the PD### VFDs)

PD026: 0

P00.03: 0

Starting Frequency: 0.1 to 10.0 Hz

PD027: .5

Stopping Frequency: 0.1 to 10.0 Hz

PD028: .5

Braking Time at Start: 0-25

PD029: 0

Braking Time at Stop: 0-25

PD030: 0

DC Braking Level: 0-20%

PD031: 2.0

Frequency Track Time: 0.1-20.0 Seconds

PD032: 5.0

Current Level for Frequency Track: 0-200.0 Seconds

PD033: 150.0

Voltage Rise Time during Frequency Track: 0.1-10 Seconds

PD034: 0.5

Jogging Frequency: 0-400 Hz

PD042: 5.00

S-Curve Time: 0-6500 Seconds

PD043: 0

Digital Input/Output Terminal Parameters: Set these parameters if you will be connecting digital signals to the terminals to allow the computer or other device to control the VFD/Spindle.